I often read a book to gain a specific understanding: this book it was cover to cover. This book is different. It fascinates, it seeks to push boundaries, and it tells true stories from many varied perspectives. Hopefully, after reading this, everything changes.
Each of the 24 different stories tells their story, of the pressures, demands, expectations and also the delights of living their life as God truly intended – if society would permit.
Scripture
So often people castigate those of the LGBTQ community through the use of Scripture. In the Bible these verses are colloquially known as the ‘Clobber Verses’. Here Rebecca offers a rebuttal of those verses.
In Queer Prophets, Pádraig comments that:
“I heard them say that the Bible is a vast library of brilliance written over 1,400 years ago by authors who’d have disagreed with each other’s ideas of what the word God meant”
Page 18
From his time working in the Corrymeela Reconciliation Centre, a light shone forth, reflecting upon the plight of Moses asking Pharaoh to “let my people go“. To release the LGBTQ community to be who they truly are. The passion here is evident – so beautifully written.
Gender
Winnie speaks about feminism stating that:
“Separating biology from gender seems to me as important an achievement as splitting the atom. If we are not determined by our biology – except as the social construct we call gender – then everything – and I mean everything changes.”
Page 52
Jeanette continues to reflect upon the impact of the binary, that separation from one from another, that “Them/Us” conflict. It is evident in much of the news of today: from the removal of families from Palestine; the Polish leadership focussing its attention upon the LGBTQ community; the continuing separation of children and parents on the Mexican border in the USA; and more recently than the publication date of the book, the migrants crossing the English Channel. It’s accentuating the Them/Us. It’s not it may change, but should be that everything changes with such a different perspective. She concludes beautifully with the line:
Spirituality and sexuality are not a binary. We need to be inclusive with ourselves so that we can be inclusive of others.
Page 58
Dustin speaks from a Mormon perspective where their church believes that “gender determines destiny” (p69).
Unification
Jack picks up upon the heaven and hell binary, that if we do not follow what the mainstream perception of living the ‘right life’ then we are heading to hell. This can lead, tragically, to potentially suicide. From the straight heterosexual perspective how could I understand? Unless I try to walk in their shoes, try to contemplate what it might be like, and accept that what people are saying is true. Then everything changes.
Jack’s journey to self-acceptance is one of “unification, a life-long pilgrimage” (p82) – and it shouldn’t be…it really shouldn’t.
The blessing of passing
Erin, as an transgender individual, speaks of ‘passing’. It might be described as of ‘unveiling’ (p90) oneself and the joy of being truly accepted. I loved the example of salt.
“Salt needs its composite parts to remain salty, though they’re different and individually volatile elements. It’s only by their fusion that the miracle of salt happens.” Likewise when “any person dares to live their lives as a whole person”: Queer and Christian.
Page 94
“Dares to live” – what an indictment upon society. We spoke of this wonder at the TDOR service last year.
As God made me to be
I conclude with Karl’s essay, a person I’m delight to know. This essay, like all of the others, is deeply moving and personal. They reflect upon that “mental suitcase” (p176) where we store negativity, the bits we can’t deal with. Their life of coming to terms with their spirituality as transgender has wended, often painfully, its way to becoming an ordained minister. However, it is the last line which speaks volumes, for every author within the book:
“I’m now certain that I am, in fact, exactly the man God made me to be”
Page 180 (my emphasis)